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San Jose Army Veteran Searching For Lost Service Dog

Lobo, a rescue dog in training to become a service dog, ran off from his San Jose home on August 20, 2013. (CBS)Lobo, a rescue dog in training to become a service dog, ran off from his San Jose home on August 20, 2013. (CBS)

SAN JOSE (CBS SF) — A San Jose Army veteran is asking for the public’s help to find his service dog who ran off Tuesday afternoon.

Jeff Wilson, 43, served in the Army for 14 years before moving to San Jose three years ago. He rescued his dog, Lobo, 3, and started training him with Operation Freedom Paws for the past year and a half.

The Gilroy-based nonprofit trains veterans and disabled people to train rescue dogs who become certified service dogs as part of the program.

Around noon, Lobo was spooked as the pair was getting into a car at Wilson’s home on Rue Avati, just east of Lundy Avenue in the Berryessa neighborhood, Wilson said.

The dog, a German shepherd-collie mix, ran off and Wilson, who had knee surgery a week ago, was unable to grab him, he said.

Since then, Operation Freedom Paws has been helping Wilson and his wife put up fliers and posts online with information about Lobo.

Wilson said Lobo was sighted a few times Tuesday afternoon, but when people approached him the dog ran off.

“He’s going to be scared,” Wilson said.

Lobo has never run away before, Wilson added.

Anyone who sees the dog, who is chipped and wearing a collar with his name and Wilson’s name and contact information, is asked to call (510) 708-1895 or (408) 833-2375.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)